Introducing Temperance XIV
We see a winged angel holding two golden chalices, pouring water from one into the other. One foot is in the water, and the other foot rests on a rock, out of the water. Behind the angel is a path to two mountains and a rising sun. Two irises bloom on the angel’s left.
Temperance represents balance, harmony and moderation. The middle path of uniting, coordination and resolution.
Symbols & Systems
angel
The angel is Michael (Micha-El, Hebrew for ‘Who is like unto God?’).
white robe
The white robe represents purity. If you look at the neck of the robe, you can see the name of God written in Hebrew – יהוה. This means that the angel has God within it and ‘knows’ balance with the connection it has to the Creator spirit.
square with triangle on white gown
This symbol represents spirit rising above the material body. The fire of spirit triangle within purified earthly matter.
two cups
The two golden cups represent containers for change. In many other decks, one cup is silver (representing the moon) and the other gold (representing the sun).
water
The water pouring from one cup to the next is actually physically impossible the way it is depicted, yet it flows easily. This signifies that life right now is flowing and becoming easier.
pond
The pond represents the watery unconscious. The angel has one foot in the water and the other foot on the land (physical reality), signifying a balance between conscious and unconscious.
path
The path is the journey of the soul having recovered from Death (of things no longer needed). Perhaps coming from the previous card (Death), where there were two pillars and the setting sun. Now the sun is rising (hope) and the pillars have become mountains (stronger foundation).
two mountains
The two mountains represent a gateway through which the angel came. The Hermit went up into the mountains to find himself. Temperance has found itself and is balanced with knowledge of oneself and the creator.
sun
The sun represents the crown of the Tree of Life – Kether. It also represents life force and hope. A crown also symbolizes mastery, whether of a skill or one’s impulses.
gods / goddesses
Temperance is ruled by all the Gods and Goddesses that rule over balance, harmony, equality/parity, and rainbows. Iris is a Greek Goddess traditionally associated with this card. She was the messenger of the Gods and traveled across rainbows from god to mortal and back again. Traditionally the rainbow represents hope, magick, and miracles. Iris filled her golden cup from the river Styx (river of the underworld), so she knows what descent means, and yet she remains balanced.
Female: Iris, Maat, Trivia
number
The number of Temperance is 14.
1+ 4 = The Hierophant, a wise leader who knows and understands how the world works. Temperance sits on the shoulders of The Hierophant and uses his wisdom to create harmony and balance.
1 also represents The Magician, creator of his/her own destiny; and 4 represents The Emperor, a person of stability.
Astrology
The astrological sign that presides over Temperance is Sagittarius.
Hips, thighs, and the knee are ruled by Sagittarius.
Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter.
Kabbalah
The creators of the Rider Waite Tarot deck were members of the Golden Dawn, a group that followed teachings based on the Kabbalah. Kabbalists are mystics who believe that God is neither male nor female, and has many aspects. Kabbalah is all about learning why we’re here, the mystery of the universe, and what the big plan is.
Being the 14th card in the deck, Temperance corresponds to the 14th Hebrew letter Samekh – ס – which means “support / foundation”. How can we ever be balanced unless we have a good foundation?
Temperance on The Tree of Life sits on the path between Tipheret (Beauty) and Yesod (Foundation).
The name of this card is ‘Tentative Intelligence’. Experience becomes the testing of ideas.
The message from Temperance XIV
Temperance reminds us that we have the power within us to attain balance. Often it is simply a choice that we can make, a way to look at a situation and change how we think about it.
Ask yourself these questions in order to understand Temperance:
• How can I balance the opposites in my life?
• Do I realize that my life has flow within it?
• How can I be a healer to myself and others?
• How am I balancing my spiritual and physical life right now?
• Am I reconciling various parts of myself inside?
• Am I seeking deeper spiritual truths right now?
• Am I seeking spiritual transformation?
Allow yourself to focus on the gift of balance. What can you do today to bring more balance into your life? Is it a matter of saying “no”? Is it a matter of sleeping and eating better? Is it about taking time out for yourself or perhaps meeting friends for some fun? Is it time to sit and create a timetable so that you know exactly when you are available for yourself?
Temperance XIV reversed
When I see a reversed card, I simply see the energy blocked or inhibited in some way.
How would Temperance be inhibited?
Temperance inhibited would be a situation where you simply cannot find balance. All work, no play; or all play, no work! Something is seriously imbalanced when you get Temperance reversed. If you get Temperance reversed for yourself or someone else, some questions to ask might be…
• Am I feeling imbalanced right now?
• Am I feeling sick (mentally, physically, or emotionally)?
• Am I going to extremes in my life?
• Does my life feel fragmented?
• Am I stuck in setbacks? Am I adding difficulty to my life right now?
• Am I attracting drama because I cannot handle peace and harmony?
• Am I disrupting relationships rather than going with the flow?
If you get Temperance reversed, you need to wake up and realize that something in your life is not balanced and could end up making you unhappy and/or sick. Stop whatever you’re doing right now and seriously look at your life. No excuses. Make the changes you need to make today.
To sum it all up
Temperance comes from the Latin word temperare, which means “to mix and combine properly”. The Temperance card within it teaches the core message of alchemy. Alchemy on a physical level was seeking the magic ingredient that would change lead to gold. On a higher spiritual level, alchemists sought to create enlightenment. To learn more about Alchemy, check out Real Alchemy by Robert Allen Bartlett.
Temperance invites you to remain connected to the real world. It appears that you’re creating a balance (or striving to) between your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual worlds.
